Heat and Cooling Supply
Heat and cooling supply is a vital aspect of the EU’s energy strategy, focusing on enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of heating and cooling systems. The primary goal is to optimise the generation, distribution, and use of heating and cooling to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This chapter outlines strategies to improve system efficiency, increase the use of renewable energy sources, and decarbonise heating and cooling, thereby contributing to the EU’s climate neutrality objectives. By promoting advanced technologies, such as district heating and cooling networks, heat pumps, and combined heat and power systems, and leveraging regulatory support, this approach ensures that heating and cooling supply systems are efficient, resilient, and environmentally friendly.
Goal and Objectives
The primary goal of heat and cooling supply is to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of heating and cooling systems across the EU. This involves optimising the generation, distribution, and use of heating and cooling to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The objectives associated with this element include:
- Reducing Energy Consumption: Improving the efficiency of heating and cooling systems to minimise energy use.
- Increasing Use of Renewables: Promoting the integration of renewable energy sources into heating and cooling supply systems.
- Decarbonising Heating and Cooling: Contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through cleaner heating and cooling solutions.
- Enhancing System Efficiency: Optimizing the performance of heating and cooling supply systems to reduce losses and improve overall efficiency.
Methodologies or Approaches for Implementation
To achieve these goals and objectives, the following methodologies and approaches are recommended:
- District Heating and Cooling Networks: Developing and expanding district heating and cooling networks to provide centralised, efficient solutions for large areas.
- Renewable Integration: Encouraging the use of renewable energy sources such as biomass, geothermal, and solar thermal in heating and cooling supply systems.
- Combined Heat and Power (CHP): Implementing CHP systems to simultaneously generate electricity and useful heat, enhancing overall energy efficiency.
- Heat Pumps: Promoting the use of heat pumps, which can provide efficient heating and cooling by transferring heat from the air, ground, or water.
- Energy Recovery: Utilizing waste heat from industrial processes, power generation, and other sources to supply heating and cooling.
- Smart Grids and Digitalization: Leveraging smart grid technologies and digital tools to optimise the operation and management of heating and cooling supply systems.
- Regulatory Support: Establishing supportive regulatory frameworks that incentivize efficient and sustainable heating and cooling solutions.
Integration with EED Goals and Key Elements
Heat and cooling supply is a critical component of the overarching goals of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and supports several key elements:
- Energy Efficiency First Principle: The focus on efficient heat and cooling supply aligns with the Energy Efficiency First principle by prioritising energy-saving measures and optimising energy use before considering new supply infrastructure investments.
- Energy Efficiency Targets: Enhancing the efficiency of heating and cooling supply systems is essential for achieving the EU’s energy efficiency targets, as these systems represent a significant portion of overall energy consumption.
- Alignment with Higher Climate Neutrality Goals: By integrating renewable energy sources and improving efficiency, heat and cooling supply systems reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the EU’s climate neutrality goals.
- Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency: Efficient heat and cooling supply systems provide multiple benefits, including reduced energy costs, improved air quality, and enhanced comfort for building occupants.
- Heating and Cooling Planning: Effective heat and cooling supply is a key outcome of comprehensive heating and cooling planning, ensuring that systems are designed and implemented to maximise efficiency and sustainability.
- Transformation, Transmission, and Distribution: Optimizing the transformation, transmission, and distribution of heat and cooling is essential to reducing energy losses and improving overall system efficiency.
- Exemplary Role of the Public Sector: The public sector can lead by example in implementing efficient heat and cooling supply systems in public buildings and infrastructure and demonstrate best practices.
- Exemplary Role of Public Buildings: Public buildings can showcase advanced heating and cooling technologies and practices, setting standards for the private sector to follow.
- Energy Saving Obligations and Obligation Schemes: Energy saving obligations can include requirements for improving the efficiency of heating and cooling supply systems, helping to meet overall energy savings targets.
- Energy Audits and Energy Management: Regular energy audits and effective energy management practices are essential for identifying opportunities to improve the efficiency of heating and cooling supply systems.
- Efficiency in Data Centers: Data centers with significant cooling demands can benefit from advanced cooling supply solutions to enhance their energy efficiency.
- Billing Information: Providing detailed and accurate billing information helps consumers understand their energy use for heating and cooling, encouraging energy-saving behaviours.
- Awareness Rising: Raising awareness about the benefits of efficient heat and cooling supply systems encourages broader adoption of energy-saving practices and technologies.
- Empowering and Protecting Vulnerable Consumers: Ensuring that vulnerable consumers have access to efficient and affordable heating and cooling systems helps protect them from energy poverty and enhances their well-being.
- Energy Professionals: Skilled energy professionals are crucial for designing, implementing, and managing efficient heat and cooling supply systems, supporting the overall planning and execution process.
- Energy Services: Energy service companies (ESCOs) can play a key role in delivering efficient heat and cooling solutions through energy performance contracts and other service models.
- National Energy Efficiency Fund and Financing: Funding mechanisms and financial incentives are essential for supporting investments in efficient heat and cooling supply systems, making these projects more viable.
- National Technical Support: Providing technical support and guidance at the national level helps facilitate the adoption of best practices in heat and cooling supply.
By integrating heat and cooling supply across these key elements, the EED ensures a comprehensive approach to improving energy efficiency in these critical sectors, driving cost-effective energy savings, and supporting the EU’s broader climate and energy goals.
